Los Angeles Dodgers: First half grades for the Boys in Blue
By Evan Lovett
The Outfield
When Cody Bellinger was called up for a few spot starts in left field to replace the injured Andrew Toles, many pundits thought it was for the proverbial ‘cup of coffee,’ after which point he’d be sent back down for more seasoning. Though he was a tad bit over matched his first week, the next two months have vaulted him not only into the All-Star and Homerun Derby conversation, but into the MVP race. With 24 home runs in only 228 at-bats and a .993 OPS, he is making a name for himself as one of the best players in the game.
Alongside a rejuvenated Yasiel Puig, who is using his newfound discipline to rekindle the salacious talent he showed during his first two seasons, Puig has 15 home runs and 42 RBI to go along with his nine stolen bases. Emerging as the top defensive right fielder in baseball, Puig has been a tour de force for the Dodgers, and is starting to justify the three seasons the club dealt with his antics.
Joc Pederson looked like a lost cause through May, a concussion forcing what the front office hesitated to do, send him down to the minor leagues. Since he’s been called back up, he has shown that this may be his breakthrough year, with six homeruns and a 1.136 OPS in only 17 games.
Taylor has filled in admirably in center field, as has Hernandez, and though Franklin Gutierrez has had minimal impact, Trayce Thompson and Brett Eibner have had big moments in key roles as backup outfielders.
The outfield, laden with question marks heading into the season, now looks like a strength. There is chatter of the Dodgers trying to acquire one more ‘big bat,’ so the team may be bolstered further in this area before the season is done – especially if Gonzalez is not going to return and Bellinger permanently takes over first base. In the meantime, Bellinger, Pederson, and Puig may be the best young trio in the game.